Blaze destroys Leicestershire businesses
Fire fighters in and around Leicestershire battled to contain 2 large fires that broke out in factories over the weekend.
Five business units in Frisby Road in Leicester were severely damaged in a fire, and on the same evening, another fire broke out at the Corah’s building in St John Street, off Burley’s Way.
Crews from around the county attended the fires which caused hundreds of thousands of pounds of damage.
Altaf Master owns AN Fashion which is based just two doors from one of the destroyed buildings in Frisby Road. He said: “I have never seen anything like this. Someone said there was a fire so I sent someone to look outside. They came running up the stairs and shouted that we had to get everyone out immediately. We got the staff out in a few minutes. I stood outside and watched as the flames grew. All I can explain it as is huge fireballs being thrown out of the building into the street.”
Ramesh Chaunhan, who also owns business nearby said: “It spread so very fast. I have never seen anything like this. I was just praying that it did not spread to my factory. I was supposed to go on holiday tomorrow. The holiday is cancelled, but I suppose I feel lucky.”
The fire was extinguished by Saturday night, but firefighters remained on the scene dampening down.
Firefighters also attended a large fire at the Corah’s building near St Margaret’s bus station.
The fire caused thick smoke to spread across the area. Residents were urged to stay indoors and keep windows shut.
Firefighters were still at the scene on Sunday damping down.
There were no injuries reported in either incident. An investigation into the cause of the fires will be carried out by police and the fire service.